REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)

COUNTRY: Federal Government of Somalia (FGS)

NAME OF PROJECT: Regional Digital Integration Project (EA-RDIP)

PROJECT ID: P176181

Assignment Title: Consultancy Service for Technical Feasibility Study on Fiber

Optic Backbone Service Requirements and Identification of
Market Gaps

Reference No.: SO-MOCT-FGS-388790-CS-QCBS

Place of assignment: Mogadishu, Somalia

Submission Date: January 13, 2024

The Federal Government of Somalia has received a grant from the International Development
Association (IDA) of the World Bank toward the cost of the Regional Digital Integration Project
(EA-RDIP). The Ministry of Communications and Technology (MoCT) in the Federal
Government of Somalia is the implementing agency for the Regional Digital Integration Project
(EA-RDIP) in Somalia.

The Regional Digital Integration Project (EA-RDIP) is to address connectivity needs for
countries in the Horn of Africa region. The proposed program aims to advance the regional
integration of digital markets in Eastern Africa through supporting cross-border connectivity,
harmonization of data and e-commerce regulations and policies, and removal of trade barriers,
with the vision of establishing a Single Digital Market (SDM).

Therefore, the Ministry of Communications and Technology intends to apply part of the
proceeds of these Grants to engage a consultant firm to provide consulting service for Technical
Feasibility Study on Fiber Optic Backbone Service Requirements and Identification of
Market Gaps. The awarded consulting firm will work with the Ministry of Communications and
Technology and the assignment will be implemented in Somalia.

The consulting services (“Services”) is required to be undertaken as an external consultant firm

supporting to the Ministry of Communications and Technology to carry out the implementation
of Technical Feasibility Study on Fiber Optic Backbone Service Requirements and
Identification of Market Gaps. The consultant firm will undertake all the specific required tasks
detailed out in the Terms of Reference (ToR). The duration of the assignment is expected to
span the project cycle which ends tentatively in 2028 – an estimated 4 years.

The detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment can be found at the following
website: https://moct.gov.so/en/tors/ or it can be provided upon submission of application in
person or by e-mail. The e-mail address is provided below.

The Ministry of Communications and Technology now invites eligible consultant firms
(“Consultant”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultant firms
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should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant
experience to perform the Services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in
similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).

The short-listing criteria are as follows:

1. Core business of the firm and years in business should be at least 10 years in general.
2. The consultancy firm should have at least 5-year experience in providing similar
consulting services. The firm should have experience in at least two (2) feasibility
studies during last 5 years. The firm/consortium shall be required to undertake the
assignment as a multidisciplinary team comprising of a lead consultant, key experts. The
firm should have solid experience at the firm and individual level, including a local
partner/consultant(s) to provide good local presence and understanding of digital
ecosystem and local context as needed.
3. Experience of relevant services in an environment similar to that of Somalia.
4. The technical and managerial organization of the firm. (Provide only the structure of the
Firm organization) Do not provide CVs of staff. Key experts will not be evaluated at the
shortlisting stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World
Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Financing -
Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services dated July 2016 and revised in
November 2017, August 2018, November 2020 and September 2023, (“Procurement
Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate
clearly whether the association is in the form of a Joint venture and/ or a Sub consultancy. In
case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable
for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection
(QCBS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.

Interested Consultant may obtain further information in a written communication to the address
below during office hours from 8:30am to 3.30pm Mogadishu time (Excluding public holidays).

Expressions of interest (EOI) should be submitted electronically (by e-mail) to the address
below on, or before, January 13, 2024 at 4.00pm, Saturday (Mogadishu, Somalia Local
Time).

Attn: Procurement Office, EA-RDIP

Project Coordination Unit (PCU)
The Ministry of Communications and Technology (MoCT)
Federal Government of Somalia
E-mail: procurement.ea-rdip@moct.gov.so
Jamhuuriya road, Boondheere district,
Mogadishu, Somalia

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